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All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their extraordinary optical properties, especially CsPbBr3 QDs with their high stability and photoluminescence efficiency. However, studies investigating the biosensing capabilities of PQDs are still limited. In this work, we designed a visible -light-triggered photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on CsPbBr3 QDs for the first time. The immobilized three-dimensional (3D) ZnO inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs) were applied to dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) sensing. It was found that the CsPbBr3 QDs, as a photoactive material in a PEC sensor, can expand the photocurrent response of the PEC sensor to the visible region, as well as boost its conductivity. This PEC sensor based on a ZnO/CsPbBr3 electrode demonstrates sensitive detection of NADH in phosphate buffer saline solution and serum, with a good linear range from 0.1 μM to 250 μM and a low detection limit of 0.010 μM. Our strategy offers a new approach to perovskite QD-based PEC sensing, which could be more sensitive and convenient for clinical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between the renin-angiotensin system and neovascularization in atherosclerotic plaque development are unclear. We investigated the effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonism in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice with a special focus on plaque neovascularization. ApoE(-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups and administered vehicle or olmesartan for 12 weeks. Quantification of plaque areas at the aortic root and in the thoracic and abdominal aorta revealed that, in all 3 of the regions, olmesartan reduced intimal neovessel density and the mRNA levels of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. Olmesartan increased the levels of collagen and elastin, reduced the level of macrophages in the aortic root, and reduced the mRNA and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 in aortic roots and thoracic aortas. Aortic ring assay revealed that olmesartan-treated ApoE(-/-) mice had a markedly lower angiogenic response than that of untreated ApoE(-/-) mice. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell-like c-Kit(+) cells from olmesartan-treated ApoE(-/-) mice showed marked impairment of cellular functions and lower expression of TLR2/TLR4 and MMP-2 compared with those of untreated controls. MMP-2 deficiency reduced intimal neovessel density and atherosclerotic lesion formation. Olmesartan and small-interfering RNA targeting TLR2 reduced the levels of TLR2, and MMP-2 mRNA induced angiotensin II in cultured endothelial cells. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonism appears to inhibit intimal neovascularization in ApoE(-/-) mice, partly by reducing TLR2/TLR4-mediated inflammatory action and MMP activation, thus decreasing atherosclerotic plaque growth and increasing plaque instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their extraordinary optical properties, especially CsPbBr3 QDs with their high stability and photoluminescence efficiency. However, studies investigating the biosensing capabilities of PQDs are still limited. In this work, we designed a visible -light-triggered photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on CsPbBr3 QDs for the first time. The immobilized three-dimensional (3D) ZnO inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs) were applied to dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) sensing. It was found that the CsPbBr3 QDs, as a photoactive material in a PEC sensor, can expand the photocurrent response of the PEC sensor to the visible region, as well as boost its conductivity. This PEC sensor based on a ZnO/CsPbBr3 electrode demonstrates sensitive detection of NADH in phosphate buffer saline solution and serum, with a good linear range from 0.1 μM to 250 μM and a low detection limit of 0.010 μM. Our strategy offers a new approach to perovskite QD-based PEC sensing, which could be more sensitive and convenient for clinical analysis.